Daily Iowan

Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Metro

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The frigid temperatures and the amount of snow that fell this winter have caused many roads to crack under the elements, and the condition could persist until spring.

Not only did freezing temperatures and moisture cause potholes, but the cleanup did as well. More than 60 inches of snow this winter had to be cleaned up using salt, sand, and plows, all of which damaged the pavement.

The Iowa Department of Transportation estimated it may not have all the roads patched until well into spring, said Jack Patterson, the District Six operations manager for the agency

"It's unfortunate we have so many," he said.

Patterson said this year the department has been working around the clock to fix the holes on the roadways. It spent March 1 fixing I-380 and Highway 6 in Iowa City/Coralville, he said.

Snow falling at least once a week this season has kept workers from fixing the holes earlier. The holes can only be fixed when the roads are clear of ice, snow, and slush, all mainstays of this winter.

Roads are fixed based on the traffic values. For example, I-80 and I-380 have been some of the first roads repaired with a cold patch premix because of the high number of drivers on those interstates. Other roads will be fixed as soon as the major roadways are free from hazards.

Shortages of the cold patch premix should not be a concern for the agency. Later this year, road crews will fill the patched holes with concrete or asphalt - asphalt is not ideal for cold temperatures.

"We know it is a temporary repair," Patterson said. "It's going to take a long time to fix the potholes."

However, I-380 may not be in perfect driving condition after the repairs are done.

Although the agency has been out fixing the potholes, many people have hit some monster holes that have caused damage to their cars. Paul Morano, the general manager for Linder Tire Service, 632 Riverside Drive, said the damage is the worst he has seen in a long time.

Continued...

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